If I repeated a decade I’m afraid I’d make the same dumb mistakes all over again and it might be more painful as I realized I was doing it again. Aging is learning what works and what doesn’t. New situations come all the time and, hopefully, you have experience to draw on. Some call that wisdom.

i would not, could not, repeat one moment from my past - too many painful mistakes, too many loved ones gone. the present is just fine with me & i’m hoping that, with my hard earned wisdom, the future will be kinda good too.

My past was sorrowful at times, but being a wonderful woman who has drastically improved my self esteem over the years, I would love to repeat the years 1961 through 1971. 1. I remember one time calling my very ill mother a witch because she wouldn’t let me go to a party when I was eleven. She died when I was 12. I would love to recall that incident. 2. I had a boyfriend at age 16 who wanted to try doing “it”. I let him. I regret that. 3. I started smoking cigarettes at age 16 and drinking at parties. I even got drunk on sloe gin. I should never have smoked and drank in those days. I don’t smoke now but I do enjoy a glass of wine. 4. My godfather was a lecherous old man who once, and only once, abused me sexually and I didn’t tell my dad or anyone until several decades later I told my sister. I regret that I failed to notify my dad. 5. I was a cheerleader in high school and college and I loved it. I want to do that again. 6. I married my first husband and found very soon I didn’t love him. I would want to find the right person for the right reason if I could redo that. To step back in time would probably shock us all….. Peace and Goodwill…….doll

Ha! I’m a few days away from 80—can’t believe it!—and I wouldn’t re-do any of it, either. I feel I’ve lived a number of lifetimes; and I have a God-given facility for thinking only on the happy stuff. Still, I wouldn’t repeat it. I’m happy for the balance I’ve learned—what to anguish over and what to shrug off—and I’m utterly thrilled to be as healthy as I am and to live in comfort and to have friends I truly enjoy. No, my first name is not Polyana. It’s just the way it is.

That’s my attitude: the best is yet to come. I always found it strange when adults would tell high school students that, “These are the best years of your life. Enjoy them.” Seemed to be counter productive to prepare them for an uneventful adulthood. Reminds me of that line: You’re only young once, but you can be immature the rest of your life. Also, Mary Wells, one of your “comments of the day” that floated around on this site for a while holds great meaning for me….basically, maintaining balance in one’s small world, not to let negative affect one’s world and to recognize grace, embrace it, but don’t dwell on that either. Thanks. And Leslie Stahl, you created another moment of zen for me with your description of visiting the gorillas….the touching of fingers between “beauty and the beast.” A great visual for waiting in lines. Thanks Peace and grace

Hi ladies, (oops, & infiltrated gents!!!!) This is a composite reply, because, in fact , my best decade was 1980/90 because, simply, I spent most of those years stateside. So, this is my opportunity to tell you all how fortunate you are of being the children of the Empire. The “Empire”, that is the way the USA is known in most of Latin America & some other parts of the world. But, you are in fact the Empire. Do you realize what it really means ???? I guess you don’t. You are part of the most powerful nation in the world. Whatever you do has an impact somewhere in the world. You are the trendsetters. You are the future. You are the stuff dreams are made of in many corners of this wide world you seldom know about. Somehow I envy you, I wished I were that powerful, on the other hand, I know you are just frail human beings liable to make awful mistakes. But, you are still there, great, powerful. deciding with your vote how we are going to fare in the next years . Awesome. The resposibility I mean. Do you feel it??? Sometimes. when I read what you write in this & other forums ( I admit I wander all over the Internet, being fluent in 6 languages I read almost everything published worldwide every day of my life) I do wonder, do this people realize what they think & do, is affecting us all??? I guess you dont. There is a high level of navel gazing in your posts. I’ve got the feeling you never realized there were foreigners from distant corners of the world trying to participate in the forums. Your loss ladies, this is a wide world & the future is going to happen elsewhere ( & so very soon!!!) Please, ladies & gents, open up your eyes because whatever is going to happen next is neither Obama nor McCain., let’s all make it something worthwhile. Anyway, the 80/90’s were my years, I lived in New York most of the time, I had a wonderful time. The experience opened up my mind. I’ll be forever grateful . The good, old USA changed my life. As Monsieur de Tocqueville would say: you are the best democracy that ever was. Thank you all for that. Amen!!!